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Questions About Visas?
Frequently Asked Questions
After I have my
visa, I will be able to enter the U.S., correct?
A visa does not
guarantee entry into the U.S. A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to the
U.S. port-of-entry, and the Department of Homeland Security U.S. immigration
inspector authorizes or denies admission to the U.S.
How do I
know whether to contact Department of State or Department of Homeland Security
about my issue?
Contact the Department of State, Embassy or
Consulate abroad with questions about U.S. visas, including application, the
status of visa processing, and for inquiries relating to visa denial.
Once in
the United States, the traveler falls under the jurisdiction of Department of
Homeland Security. The Department of Homeland Security, US Citizenship and
Immigration Services (USCIS) is responsible for the approval of all petitions,
the authorization of permission to work in the US, the issuance of extensions of
stay, and change or adjustment of an applicant's status while the applicant is
in the U.S. See Other Government Websites to learn more.
My visa
expires in 5 years, what does this mean?
A visa must be valid at
the time a traveler seeks admission to the U.S., but the expiration date of the
visa (validity period/length of time the visa can be used) has no relation to
the length of time a temporary visitor may be authorized by the Department of
Homeland Security to remain in the United States. Persons holding visas valid
for multiple entries may make repeated trips to the U.S., for travel for the
same purpose, as long as the visa has not expired, and the traveler has done
nothing to become ineligible to enter the U.S., at port of entry.
How can I find out how long I am authorized to stay in the U.S?
At the port of entry, upon entering the U.S., the Department of
Homeland Security, US immigration inspector, provides you a small white card,
Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record in your passport. Visa Waiver Program
travelers receive Form 1-94W. On this form, the U.S. immigration inspector
records either a date or "D/S" (duration of status). If your I-94 contains a
specific date, that is the date by which you must leave the United States. Your
Form I-94, or I-94W is a very important document to keep in your passport, since
it shows your permission to be in the U.S. To learn more see Duration of Stay
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